Hay fever and allergy – National Change in prescribing

In line with NHS England and North East Clinical Commissioning Group guidelines, the surgery is no longer prescribing medication (antihistamines and nasals sprays) for hay fever. These can be readily obtained by purchasing these over the counter at your local pharmacy or supermarket.

It is recommended that sufferers of hay fever seek advice from their local pharmacy around managing their symptoms and any patients contacting the practice with regards to hay fever will be directed to the pharmacy.

Most hay fever and allergy treatments including tablets, liquids, nasal sprays, and eye drops do not require a prescription, and can be purchased from supermarkets and pharmacies.

Recommended treatments include:

Oral antihistamines such as cetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine, chlorphenamine and fexofenadine

Nasal steroid sprays such as beclomethasone

Eye drops including sodium cromoglycate.

Nasal decongestants such as Sudafed and Otrivine are NOT recommended.

Find out more information at:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/1a-over-the-counter-leaflet-v1.pdf

https://patient.info/allergies-blood-immune/hay-fever-leaflet

Mayfield Medical Group

Published on 14 June 2024